“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”
Ezekiel 18:30-32 (ESV)
This message from God is addressed specifically to ancient Israel at the time of their exile. But it could just as easily be addressed to the world today. Throughout the bulk of this chapter, a series of scenarios have been presented to demonstrate that God deals with each person according to their walk with Him. The wicked will face destruction and death, while the righteous will live. The one who turns from his unrighteousness and obeys God will live. While the righteous person who turns to a life of sin will die. Each person is judged individually according to their life choices.
Then, at the end of the chapter, there is a final call for repentance. God makes it clear that he will judge everyone according to their ways. God is the judge. But each of us is responsible for our response to Him. He calls on us to repent, turn from our sin, and have a new heart and spirit.
The assumption made here is that a person can choose to do what is right and live in obedience to God. God grants to each of us the ability to turn from our sin and follow God. That does not imply a perfect life without sin. But it does reflect a life that is seeking to do what God wants.
God closes with a rhetorical question. “Why will you die?” And continues with “I take no pleasure in the death of anyone.” His call to all is that they repent and live.
No one is without hope. No one is born condemned to face God’s righteous judgment and eternal death. God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone. In the end, we choose our eternal fate, and God will honor that choice.
